Fantasy Baseball 2011: Spring Training Update

In the last week, we have received several updates on some of the top prospects in the game including Mike Trout, Jesus Montero and Bryce Harper. Here is what Angels GM Tony Reagins had to say about Trout on Thursday, via a tweet from the LA Times Bill Shaikin:

Reagins said #Angels would start Mike Trout at double-A. In Anaheim by end of season? "I would say it's unlikely"

35 minutes ago via Twitter for BlackBerry®

Retweeted by 4 people

I think this is a bit of a surprise as I think the consensus was that he would start out in High A this year. I think he could get a September cup of coffee should the Angels fall out of the AL wildcard race.

With Russell Martin declaring that he has not fully recovered from his hip surgery, one has to speculate that Yankees catching prospect Jesus Montero will be getting a VERY long look in spring training. If Brian Cashman was so convinced Montero can catch, why did he sign a catcher coming off hip surgery who also needed knee surgery.

More after the jump:

Is there a consensus as to where Bryce Harper will begin his first full minor league season? Some say he will start out at Low A Hagerstown, others at High A Potomac. Either way, I think he sees a quick promotion, and I can see him starting the 2012 season in AA. OK, I am getting ahead of myself, but just throwing it out there. 

Speaking of Harper, I think it was Kevin Goldstein who stated he thinks that Harper could hit 40 HRs this season. And BA's Jim Callis tweeted that he is the best power hitting prospect ever.

The Royals are moving Wil Myers to right field this year, and he will start the season at AA Northwest Arkansas, where Mike Moustakas and Eric Hosmer dominated in 2010. I can see Myers hitting well, with an end of season promotion to AAA. It appears the move to RF will speed his arrival to Kansas City. Come 2012-2013, that Royals team is going to be loaded.

Could Cardinals pitching prospect Shelby Miller make his major league debut in 2012? I am starting to think he will, as he could start this season in AA. 

Last week, Giants manager Bruce Bochy stated that first base prospect Brandon Belt could make the team out of spring training. Did he mean that or was that to light a fire under some veterans on the team? I think it is the latter, but Belt will be up this season.

Dodgers GM Ned Colletti was interviewed by Dodger Thoughts writer Jon Weisman earlier this week, and Colletti stated that the Dodgers will be investing more in the draft and internationally, which is music to this Dodgers fan's ears. He also said he did not sign a free agent outfielder to a multi-year deal as he has confidence in Trayvon Robinson and Jerry Sands, and did not want to block either of them in 2012. I can see Robinson playing centerfield and Sands taking over first base for James Loney next year.

Colletti also said he thinks that 2010 first round pick Zach Lee could help as soon as 2013. He will be on the Clayton Kershaw fast track, I imagine.